Nigerian filmmaker Allison Precious Emmanuel has carved his name into the history books of African cinema after emerging as the youngest filmmaker to earn triple nominations at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

At just 23, Allison secured nods in three of the festival’s most coveted categories — Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Film — for his debut feature, The Boy Who Gave.

Despite competing against several high-budget and star-studded productions, Allison’s film stood out for its emotional depth, striking visuals, and powerful performances. The Boy Who Gave made its official AFRIFF debut on November 7th, earning an overwhelming reaction from viewers. The premiere ended with a lengthy standing ovation, a moment the young filmmaker described as “the most humbling and affirming experience” of his career.

The celebrations continued the following evening during AFRIFF’s award ceremony, where Allison’s name repeatedly echoed across the hall as he was announced among the nominees in three fiercely competitive categories — a rare accomplishment for any filmmaker, especially one presenting a first feature.

His triple nomination, which came just two days before his 24th birthday, has been hailed by industry watchers as a defining moment that signals the rise of a remarkable new voice in Nollywood. Speaking on the recognition, Allison said, “Making The Boy Who Gave was an act of faith. We had very little, but we poured everything we had into it — our hearts, our tears, our hope. To see it resonate this deeply, and to be recognized this way, means the world to me.”

Allison, who wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the film, is already being touted as one of Nollywood’s most promising emerging talents — a storyteller whose work blends raw emotion with rich cinematic depth.

Following its AFRIFF success, The Boy Who Gave continues to generate widespread acclaim, with critics and audiences praising it as one of the most compelling debut features to emerge from the continent in recent years.